FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Genesis pick-up possible

Genesis CEO Manfred Fitzgerald has confirmed his company is considering a pick-up truck that could rival both the Mercedes-Benz X-Class and high-grade versions of the Volkswagen Amarok.

Asked by carsales at the Frankfurt motor show overnight whether Hyundai’s premium brand is considering a ute potentially based on the forthcoming Hyundai/Kia pick-up, Fitzgerald replied:

"I wouldn't rule out anything. The sky is the limit there. And, also too, our imaginations.

“We are looking at several things too out there, and there are a lot of white spots on the map, so let's see what we come up with in the future.”

It's thought a premium Genesis-badged ute could help share the cost of the forthcoming Hyundai/Kia ute and bolster the brand's appeal in markets like the US.

If green-lit for production, the Genesis ute is expected to only be offered as a double-cab, like the X-Class, but unlike its distant cousins that will also be offered in single-cab form.

Under the bonnet, again, the Genesis pick-up would only be offered with a powerful petrol or diesel engine, or potentially even a next-gen electrified powertrain.

While the first utes from Hyundai and Kia are expected on sale in 2021 and 2022 respectively, it's not known when a Genesis pick-up could arrive.